2004-2007 Cadillac CTS-V Performance Mods Discussion, uh oh, loud ticking from the right side of my engine in Cadillac CTS-V Series Forum - 2004 - 2007; uh oh, after a good day at NJMP, I'm hearing a ticking noise from the right side of the engine ...

Re: uh oh, loud ticking from the right side of my engine

It could be nothing but a lifter taking time to fill with oil. However, given the propensity of LS6 springs to break, and the more infrequent tendency of the rocker arms to cough up needle bearings, I would pull the valve covers and look things over.

Re: uh oh, loud ticking from the right side of my engine

LOL probably a long shot but check your spark plugs. I had one loose in my 07 and it ticked like crazy. The metal heat shield around the plug wire was also making noise from the vibration of the loose plug. Pretty hilarious.

Chasing a tick in my sons 98 WS6 and all I have to say is GOOD LUCK! Finding ticks in these things is like finding a needle in a hay stack.

What I've done to date might help... Get a mechanics stethoscope and see if you can locate the sound (I haven't had much luck with this but it may help u narrow things down).

Remove the valve covers like Darkman said and check rockers, rods, and springs.

Check for exhaust leaks around the manifold.

check all plugs to make sure they are tight.

You may want to run it with belts off for a very short time to see if it is in one of the accessories.

Pull the oil pan and check the pump and screen (obstructions to the screen or problems with the pump can cause a tick).

Pull the heads and inspect/repair/replace the lifters.

If absolutely all else fails you can pull the engine and check the crank, wrist pins, and connecting rods. I haven't gotten to this stage yet and hope I never do.

I may have left a few things out but this is what I have found to date. I have also heard mixed reports about the harmonic balancer causing ticks. Currently we are at the oil pump stage but the tick is so loud I doubt it is the problem.

Re: uh oh, loud ticking from the right side of my engine

It's curious that it goes away in 3rd. Like stated above, pull valve cover and check springs and rockers. Check plugs and wires and exhaust manifolds. Then pull the heads and replace lifters if the other items are ok. Pulling to oil pan is major work as the cross member won't allow it without basically pulling the motor.

It's curious that it goes away in 3rd. Like stated above, pull valve cover and check springs and rockers. Check plugs and wires and exhaust manifolds. Then pull the heads and replace lifters if the other items are ok. Pulling to oil pan is major work as the cross member won't allow it without basically pulling the motor.

Can you release the motor mounts and use a cherry picker to lift the motor enough to gain access?

Re: uh oh, loud ticking from the right side of my engine

Thanks for the great replies - I think the trifecta of exhaust leak/check under the valve covers/check the spark plugs route is how I'll proceed.

I'm not sure that this is the cause but I think it's an exhaust leak at the head. As I was PBBlasting my header bolts this AM to get ready for my Kooks install, I noticed... the front right bolt head on the stock manifold is already sheared off - somehow. The headers/heads have never been off... the "sheared" part of the remaining stud is still a bit shiny, so my assumption is that ???it sheared off while driving (hard)??? last weekend

I'm still going to inspect the rockers/springs/etc.

and I'm not sure it goes away deep in 3rd and beyond - it may just be I don't/can't hear it.

Re: uh oh, loud ticking from the right side of my engine

Good news - two days soaking with pbblaster and all the other header bolts came off w no problem. (The car only has 46k miles.). Vice grips worked on the broken stud as well. - told my wife I was the luckiest man in the world...

I checked the plugs and under the valve covers and everything looks fine...